Allison Mack ‘did not seem upset’ in court for sex trafficking case

Allison Mack and Keith Raniere appeared in court together for the first time on Friday, May 4. The pair, who were arrested for sex trafficking in connection to alleged cult NXIVM, were in Brooklyn federal court for a status hearing.

The Smallville alum, 35, is out on bail, so she arrived in the courtroom early and sat in the back with her lawyers. “She did not seem upset as expected for someone in her position,” an eyewitness tells Us Weekly exclusively. “Allison was quite animated as she chatted quietly with her lawyer and even let out a few laughs before the conference began.”

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Actress Allison Mack

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Actress Allison Mack

BROOKLYN, NY - MAY 04: Actress Allison Mack arrives at the United States Eastern District Court after a bail hearing in relation to the sex trafficking charges filed against her on May 4, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The actress known for her role on 'Smallville' is charged with sex trafficking. Along with alleged cult leader Keith Raniere, prosecutors say Mack recruited women to a upstate New york mentorship group NXIVM that turned them into sex slaves. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

Actor Allison Mack, known for her role in the TV series 'Smallville', exits with her lawyer following a hearing on charges of sex trafficking in relation to the Albany-based organization Nxivm at United States Federal Courthouse in Brooklyn, New York, U.S., May 4, 2018. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

Actor John Scheneider poses with co-stars (L-R) Allison Mack, Kristin Kreuk and Annette O'Toole from the new WB television network action series "Smallvile" at the network's summer All-Star party at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, July 15, 2001. The series depicts the classic Superman character as a teenaged Clark Kent.

Actress Allison Mack, known for her role in the TV series "Smallville", departs after being granted bail following being charged with sex trafficking and conspiracy in New York, U.S., April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

Actress Allison Mack, known for her role in the TV series "Smallville", departs after being granted bail following being charged with sex trafficking and conspiracy in New York, U.S., April 24, 2018. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Actress Allison Mack leaves U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York after a bail hearing, April 24, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Mack was charged last Friday with sex trafficking for her involvement with a self-help organization for women that forced members into sexual acts with their leader. The group, called Nxivm, was led by founder Keith Raniere, who was arrested in March on sex-trafficking charges. She was released on bail at $5 million. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Mack was arrested on April 20 and charged with sex trafficking, sex trafficking conspiracy, and conspiracy to commit forced labor stemming from her involvement in alleged sex cult NXIVM. Raniere, the alleged leader of the organization, was indicted on the same charges.

As an expressionless Raniere entered the courtroom on Friday, “Allison did not look in Keith’s direction, although she may have gotten a glimpse of him,” the eyewitness says.

“Keith was looking in Allison’s direction as her lawyer talked. He did not show any emotion on his face,” according to the eyewitness. “Allison kept her eyes facing down but also did not show emotion. At one point during the hearing, while the judge was talking, Keith looked back, and it looked as if he was attempting to catch sight of Allison. The two did not make direct eye contact during the hearing.”

Raniere pleaded not guilty, and a court date was set for October 1. The government said that under “no circumstance” would they consent to bail, although the judge said bail applications could be given to him. The next status conference will take place on June 12.

Raniere’s attorney called NXIVM a “social group” and claimed that everyone in the organization participated consensually.

Mack’s legal team asked to waive the right for her to appear in status conference hearings. Her lawyers will have to apply for this, but the judge was reluctant: “I don’t generally grant a waiver. This is a very serious matter.”

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Photos: NXIVM sex slave cult and its demise

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Photos: NXIVM sex slave cult and its demise

ALBANY, NY - APRIL 26: The NXIVM Executive Success Programs sign outside of the office at 455 New Karner Road on April 26, 2018 in Albany, New York. Keith Raniere, founder of NXIVM, was arrested by the FBI in Mexico in March of 2018. (Photo by Amy Luke/Getty Images)

ALBANY, NY - APRIL 26: The exterior of the NXIVM Executive Success Programs office at 455 New Karner Road on April 26, 2018 in Albany, New York. Keith Raniere, founder of NXIVM, was arrested by the FBI in Mexico in March of 2018. (Photo by Amy Luke/Getty Images)

ALBANY, NY - APRIL 26: The Karner Woods office park's sign on April 26, 2018 in Albany, New York. The NXIVM Executive Success Programs office at 455 New Karner Road is part of the office park. Keith Raniere, founder of NXIVM, was arrested by the FBI in Mexico in March of 2018. (Photo by Amy Luke/Getty Images)

BROOKLYN, NY - MAY 04: Actress Allison Mack (R) departs the United States Eastern District Court after a bail hearing in relation to the sex trafficking charges filed against her on May 4, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The actress known for her role on 'Smallville' is charged with sex trafficking. Along with alleged cult leader Keith Raniere, prosecutors say Mack recruited women to a upstate New york mentorship group NXIVM that turned them into sex slaves. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

BROOKLYN, NY - MAY 04: Actress Allison Mack arrives at the United States Eastern District Court for a bail hearing in relation to the sex trafficking charges filed against her on May 4, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The actress known for her role on 'Smallville' is charged with sex trafficking. Along with alleged cult leader Keith Raniere, prosecutors say Mack recruited women to an upstate New york mentorship group NXIVM that turned them into sex slaves. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04: Actress Allison Mack (C) arrives at the United States Eastern District Court for a bail hearing in relation to the sex trafficking charges filed against her on May 4, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The actress known for her role on 'Smallville' is charged with sex trafficking. Along with alleged cult leader Keith Raniere, prosecutors say Mack recruited women to a upstate New york mentorship group NXIVM that turned them into sex slaves. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 24: Actress Allison Mack leaves U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York after a bail hearing, April 24, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. Mack was charged last Friday with sex trafficking for her involvement with a self-help organization for women that forced members into sexual acts with their leader. The group, called Nxivm, was led by founder Keith Raniere, who was arrested in March on sex-trafficking charges. She was released on bail at $5 million. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Prosecutors alleged to have a “large amount of discovery in this case,” thanks to inspections of Raniere’s home. Investigators found an “enormous amount of electronic evidence” including “years’ worth” of email accounts and victim material.

The prosecution also hinted they are “anticipating there will be additional charges and defendants” in a superseding indictment, meaning more charges could be added to Raniere and Mack’s cases and more arrests could be coming.

According to an eyewitness, Mack was “stoic” as she left the courthouse and “did not say anything at all.”